In school, I learned a lot about printing, binding, and the original processes of type-setting. This video is the motion picture to all of those classes. It’s truly a must-see.
Pictorial Webster’s: Inspiration to Completion by John Carrera

I wish I had discovered this a long time ago. This year has been the first that I haven’t made daily travel notes. I’ll have to literally go back through my calendar and expenses to try and determine how much mileage I’ve logged.
Milog - mileage log tracker iPhone App

This is really interesting and landing on a lot of design blogs right now for the obvious reasons.
My favorites are:
Pepsi’s 1962 and 1973 logos: I wish they’d just revert back to those and stay there. They seem both timeless and in fact, very reflective of today’s direction in logo design. I’m not a fan of the latest Pepsi logo and can see it being revised fairly soon. They certainly haven’t had the same success as Coke in terms of duration and decisiveness with their logos, have they?
Coke’s 1900s, 1940s, and 2009 logos: When I saw the 1990s one for the first time, I thought it was pretty neat with it’s dimensional look. I still like it a lot, but not strictly as a logo. Somehow, they were even successful at making their New Coke 1985 (Wow! That long ago?) logo both recognizable and well executed
I understand Coke is still declared as the most well-known and recognized logo in the world. *ahem* Coke is it.

I have a file that I use to format all of our logo designs for various uses, uploads etc. In the file is what I refer to as the ‘logo pile’ where I put copies aside instead of deleting them immediately. I noticed today that it’s starting to look like some sort of pop art mural.

You can notice that I did a lot of Group92 concepts. They’re everywhere in there!

Some may call it spec work—which often isn’t well accepted within the design community—but I chose to see it as a valuable exercise in design, a great opportunity to be a part of what looks like a very interesting movie, and it’s simply fun to take part in a challenge like this.

The contest was a collaboration between Designer Daily (links to winners page) and Jessica Oreck, the Director of Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo. The winning poster will in fact be the official movie poster—that’s a pretty significant accomplishment, I’d say! Congratulations to Eric!

The prize packs were very generous. Mine alone being worth $360.00!

My entries are below. The last one being the one they chose for 3rd place.

A total of 84 entries were submitted.

Regarding spec work: yes, be careful and considerate of the design market and subsequent value of what we do, but also be sure to make your own judgments when it comes to designing for the fun of it. For more info about spec work: no-spec.com

Logos can be very challenging for both us as the designers and the clients who develop a personal relationship with such a significant part of their business’ identity. Therefore, it’s exciting for both us and our clients when our logos are published in such recognized and respected books as the LogoLounge series.

We just received word that a third logo of ours has been chosen for LogoLounge’s Master Library Series’ second book, ‘Animals an Mythology’.

Our thanks again to the LogoLounge team!

Other selected logos

I’ve never written a “(#) of Reasons” article before, but thought I’d give it a try since this topic has been on my mind for a while and I don’t really know how to effectively share it without going the point-form route. Apparently, making a list based on 3, 5 or 7 points is an effective way of allowing readers to remember them and not be overwhelmed with information. Granted, each point should be relatively brief and concise. I may falter a little in that regard.

A few things have come up recently that have had me suggesting considerable attention and budget designation to the design and marketing portion of a business plan. I’ve come across a few examples of very thorough business plans either allotting very little, unrealistic,  or dare I say, sometimes no budgets to the creative aspects of their business. I strongly believe based on both experience and education via reading or other means, that design is one of the most important aspects of any successful business. As one of Pricedyment’s brand statements says, “Rapidly growing businesses rate design as the second most important factor in their success.” This was something we discovered as part of a reputable U.K. study done in 2004. Keeping that in mind and observing design’s effect on business, from that point of view, I can honestly and confidently say, it’s true.

These days, with the rapidly changing economy (positive and negative changes), many businesses are working to adapt. Some people are stepping out and opening their own businesses, and many businesses are revising their objectives for the months and years to come. All of this requires planning and detailed consideration of all aspects of their work. That includes image, branding, and communication.

By referencing my own client experiences and observations, hopefully the following will provide some thought-provoking reasons to pay considerable attention to the role of design in your business’ growth and success. There are certainly more reasons that other designers, marketers and business owners can share. It’s always valuable to talk with such professionals for their thoughts and ideas.

In no particular order of importance…

1. Dressing for success
There’s a saying that dressing for success attracts success. It goes without saying that first impressions count for a lot. Your business makes a first impression based on what it looks like externally, and very often, that is determined by what it’s wearing.

2. Comfort
Good design may not be perceived as such by clients/customers, especially if they don’t know anything about good (effective) vs. poor (ineffective) design. However, they are subconsciously affected and even guided or deterred by design. Colours, fonts, composition, visual flow, spacing, imagery and more elements of and approaches to design, all take part in contributing towards feelings of calm, trust, and comfort. The same can also trigger the reverse of each.

3. Confidence
As a business owner, you want yourself and your employees to reflect confidence— in yourselves, each other, and your product or service. Knowing and being aware that you have invested in and achieved an image that not only reflects your product and yourself, but provides that sense of comfort, trust and professionalism to your clients and customers will contribute to the confidence you impart. Handing over a well designed, nice-to-the-touch business card or brochure leaves a client with a sense of quality, noticed attention to detail on your part, and one more possibility to stand out from the crowd. The more senses you can please, the better.

4. Think quality
Quality costs money. No matter how amazing a website designer or print designer may appear to be, their pricing reflects both their self-worth as a designer and can indicate their future willingness to pay close attention to details and your preferences. Pay more, expect more. I recently saw an advertisement posted by a photographer looking for a website. He was willing to pay $100.00 for it to be designed and developed. A good photography website immediately means images and probably many of them. Therefore, a gallery would likely be in order. The increased necessities go on from there. Responses to the the post were primarily from professional designers asking if the photographer would shoot and develop the photography for something such as a wedding for a similar price. A guaranteed, “No.” Consider what your product is worth. What you spend on your product directly reflects how much confidence you have in it and how much confidence customers will have in it, as well. They won’t see the invoices from your designer, but they’ll recognize the quality and suspect it didn’t come cheap. In turn they see that you invest in your business and yourself. That will translate into an expectation that you will invest in them.

5. Think ahead
If you are confident in your business plan, have received good feedback from the right people to request feedback from, and believe in yourself and your product, you are likely expecting growth. The branding and identity of a new business or a that of an existing business can be done in such a way to be both budget-minded and also considerate of how to add to it in the future as your business grows. These days, most businesses start out with a logo, stationery, business cards, website, possibly signage and advertising. Depending on the business type, the order of these may vary, but for the most part it would happen as shown or in many cases (and recommended), simultaneously. Releasing a new image with all items at once is far more effective than handing a business card out with your website address to a homepage that says, Under Construction with a a little animated construction worker waving back—you probably just lost a customer. Yet, this can be countered by putting up a temporary homepage while the rest of the website is being developed. That temporary page may have your contact info, brief descriptive information about your product or service and definitely reflect the branding being developed. Adhering to this process of initial brand establishment creates not only a good foundation from which to have your business’ image perceived as complete, but also ready to carry out other marketing and brand initiatives that may soon follow—advertising, annual reports, packaging, signage, apparel etc.

6. Establish relationships
People want to be part of something. In business, establishing relationships is extremely important. Before I go to the large box hardware store in town, I stop in at the small family hardware store to see if they have what I need. I get personal attention. When I walk in the door, I’m greeted by name. They take interest in what I am up to and don’t simply help me find what I need and escort me to the register. Adding to the service and people, the store is clean, organized, well signed and I feel comfortable being there. What am I part of when I go there? The community. Their hopes to grow their business and compete with their competition become hopes of our own. We root for them and as we become part of that community, however small it may be, we are in turn rooting for ourselves. When I am at that store, I feel like I’m still part of a small town and these days, part of an exclusive group of people that knows the guys at the store and wants them to do well. I feel I’m contributing to something good. I like to recommend people go there first for something—bonus: word of mouth. Give off an image of being a company or group of people that customers want to be part of. They’ll keep your card and show it to others because it’s kind of cool, or really nice, or simply indicates that they work with a good company. Most people know that if you seek quality, you likely offer quality. People want to be part of something that indicates their penchant for quality, fun, being ‘hip’, and being part of a community with those characteristics. Don’t tell customers you seek to establish a relationship. Show them. Let them feel they are becoming part of one—part of something good. Eventually, they’ll be rooting for you.

7. Inspiration. Motivation
Good design can inspire and motivate your customers. If they see a cool logo on a well-presented storefront, they are more likely to be motivated to step in and see what you offer—because it too, is probably pretty cool. The same results apply to packaging, advertising, publications and so on. Your creativity can inspire that of your customers. People like to be inspired and feel creative, and will usually follow through on it with action that promotes the sustainability of that feeling.

[from The Niagara Falls review]
The Niagara College Teaching (NCT) Winery turned Icewine into gold by winning a Double Gold Medal at the 28th Annual All Canadian Wine Championships, held recently in Windsor.

The 2007 Dean’s List Cabernet Franc Icewine won double gold in the ‘Best of Category - Red Icewine.’ This specific Icewine was produced from Niagara College’s Donald Ziraldo Vineyard…

read complete article

I came across this via Facebook. Very compelling—worth checking out.
Two Futures Project

Our work has been selected to appear in a remarkable new LogoLounge publication, the first book in the new Master Library series.

Like the existing (and ongoing) LogoLounge book series, the new Master Library books will publish examples of exemplary logo design from creatives around the world. This particular series will focus on specific logotypes including Initials & Crests, the inaugural book in which our logos will reside.

It’s an honour to have our Everwood Timberworks and Freightlinks Transportation logos chosen. Our thanks to Bill Gardner and the LogoLounge Team.

Neither client chose these versions for the final logo, but what I really like about both is that each icon appears the same when upside down.

Jodi Robinson | Beaches Nutrition, Toronto Ontario

Please share what series of major decisions, circumstances or goals led you into your present career and in-turn, the position you hold within your business.

- always knew this is what I wanted to do
- high-demand field and good contacts in addition to an abundance of work being available has made it an easy transition for me to develop my business
- advocating healthy eating to my clients makes it essential that I also follow a healthy lifestyle

Please explain some history and interesting facts about your business and/or its products and services.

- there are few registered dietitians in private practice so many people who seek the guidance of a dietitian have trouble finding one
- corporate wellness is also a booming industry that is currently expanding to offer more nutritional services to its clients so this is the area I am in particular trying to focus my services on

How important is the role of design to the overall image, brand, and success of your business?

- I feel that a professionally designed image/brand for my business is essential for its success as it a) creates the professional image I wish to portray, b) sets the standard to my clients of the level of service and professionalism they can expect, c) instills confidence in myself that I offer high value, credible services

Do you believe that design, perceived as well executed or not, has been beneficial or detrimental to the success of your business? Please explain.

One point though is that a well designed image for your business can set you apart from your competitors.  When a potential client searches for services in your field, they have nothing to go on at first other than your image.  Therefore, having a professionally designed image has the potential to attract new clients to you.  In contrast, no matter how credible or extraordinary your actual services may be, a client may never have the chance to experience this if at first glance they are turned off simply based on a poor initial first impression derived from your unprofessional image/brand.

As part of our own business’ brand, we quote the findings of a specific report that determined design to be the second most important factor in the rapid growth of successful businesses. Although you may or may not agree with these findings, what do you believe is the first most important factor of growth and success in your business?

Be good at what you do, know what you want to do, and do what you need to do to get it (excluding all criminal and negligent activities of course).

If you could suggest one piece of advice to someone working to achieve their career goals, what would that be?

Persevere, be persistent, and be patient.

Beaches Nutrition, Toronto Ontario

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AJ McLaughlin | Angels Gate Winery, Beamsville Ontario

Please share what series of major decisions, circumstances or goals led you into your present career and in-turn, the position you hold within your business.

After running my own business for 3 years I went off to work for the government.  After a very short time I realized that government work wasn’t for me and I moved to the wine industry.  At the time, my experience with wine was very limited but I had several years of management experience.  Within the first year I knew that the wine industry was going to be my home.  Staying focused, loyal and driven paved the way into my current position.

Please explain some history and interesting facts about your business and/or its products and services.

The winery opened in 2002 just as the industry was really starting to blossom.  The property was purchased in 1995 with our estate vineyard being planted in 1996.  Since then we have purchased 5 vineyards bringing the estate holdings to 185 acres.  Great wine has a direct link to quality soils that are available.  Within the Niagara region we have several appellations which allow for the growing of premium grapes.  At Angels Gate our dedication is to the area called the Beamsville Bench.  The Beamsville Bench provides us with fruit that has unique structure and character which is directly translated into our products.

How important is the role of design to the overall image, brand, and success of your business?

As with any business, design is always important.  Our brand and design is our signature.  Beamsville is home to more wineries than any other location within the region.  This of course means that we need to be distinct from our neighbours in anyway possible.  We accomplish that not only through design of our labels but also our property.  We are very fortunate to have one of the most beautiful locations for viewing the Escarpment and Lake Ontario.

Do you believe that design, perceived as well executed or not, has been beneficial or detrimental to the success of your business? Please explain.

Well executed design has been a key factor in our success and our labels are a great example of that.  With more than 400 Ontario wines available in the LCBO consumers often struggle to find something familiar.  Our success had been driven by the simplicity of our labels.  They are clean, easy to read, and always highlight the most important information.  This allows our brand to stand out despite its simplistic look.

As part of our own business’ brand, we quote the findings of a specific report that determined design to be the second most important factor in the rapid growth of successful businesses. Although you may or may not agree with these findings, what do you believe is the first most important factor of growth and success in your business?

The most important factor in our success is the value/quality relationship.  With so many wines available from around the world we need to ensure that we have a strong offering to consumers.  We need to over deliver on quality and offer price value that makes drinking great wine affordable for everyone.

If you could suggest one piece of advice to someone working to achieve their career goals, what would that be?

Stay focused on the long term.  Shortcuts dont exist!  They always come back to haunt you.

Angels Gate Winery, Beamsville Ontario

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